Patents by Inventor Mark Plagge

Mark Plagge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11947870
    Abstract: A computing device is configured to perform functions comprising: receiving via a network microphone device of a media playback system, a voice command detected by at least one microphone of the network microphone device, wherein the media playback system comprises a plurality of zones, and the network microphone device may be a member of a default playback zone. The computing device may be further configured to perform functions comprising: dynamically selecting an audio response zone from the plurality of zones to play an audio response to the voice input and foregoing selection of the default playback zone. The selected zone may comprise a playback device, and the dynamically selecting may comprise determining that the network microphone device is paired with the playback device. The computing device may cause the playback device of the selected zone to play the audio response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge
  • Publication number: 20240078085
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
  • Patent number: 11832068
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a music service based on a user command. A content type is identified from a received user command and a music service is selected that supports the content type. A selected music service can then transmit audio content associated with the content type for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
  • Patent number: 11736860
    Abstract: Multiple aspects of systems and methods for voice control and related features and functionality for various embodiments of media playback devices, networked microphone devices, microphone-equipped media playback devices, and speaker-equipped networked microphone devices are disclosed and described herein, including but not limited to designating and managing default networked devices, audio response playback, room-corrected voice detection, content mixing, music service selection, metadata exchange between networked playback systems and networked microphone systems, handling loss of pairing between networked devices, actions based on user identification, and other voice control of networked devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Yean-Nian Willy Chen, Paul Andrew Bates, Luis Vega-Zayas, Christopher Butts, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Keith Corbin
  • Patent number: 11726742
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
  • Publication number: 20230054164
    Abstract: Multiple aspects of systems and methods for voice control and related features and functionality for various embodiments of media playback devices, networked microphone devices, microphone-equipped media playback devices, and speaker-equipped networked microphone devices are disclosed and described herein, including but not limited to designating and managing default networked devices, audio response playback, room-corrected voice detection, content mixing, music service selection, metadata exchange between networked playback systems and networked microphone systems, handling loss of pairing between networked devices, actions based on user identification, and other voice control of networked devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Yean-Nian Willy Chen, Paul Andrew Bates, Luis Vega-Zayas, Christopher Butts, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Keith Corbin
  • Patent number: 11513763
    Abstract: A computing device is configured to perform functions comprising: receiving via a network microphone device of a media playback system, a voice command detected by at least one microphone of the network microphone device, wherein the media playback system comprises a plurality of zones, and the network microphone device may be a member of a default playback zone. The computing device may be further configured to perform functions comprising: dynamically selecting an audio response zone from the plurality of zones to play an audio response to the voice input and foregoing selection of the default playback zone. The selected zone may comprise a playback device, and the dynamically selecting may comprise determining that the network microphone device is paired with the playback device. The computing device may cause the playback device of the selected zone to play the audio response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge
  • Patent number: 11514898
    Abstract: An example system is configured to cause a first playback device in a first playback zone to operate in a given playback state including play back of media items identified in a playback queue associated with the first playback zone. The system is also configured to, while the first playback device is operating in the given playback state, (i) receive data corresponding to a detected voice input including an indication of (a) a command word and (b) one or more zone variable instances and (ii) determine, based on the command word and the one or more zone variable instances, an intent to transfer the given playback state to a second playback zone. The system is also configured to transfer the given playback state to the second playback zone, thereby causing a second playback device in the second playback zone to play back the media items identified in the playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Keith Corbin, Mark Plagge
  • Publication number: 20220171597
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for establishing a metadata exchange channel between a media playback system and a networked microphone system, wherein the networked microphone system comprises a networked microphone device and a networked microphone server. After establishing the metadata exchange channel, the media playback system experiences a metadata exchange triggering event. In response to experiencing the metadata exchange triggering event, the media playback system provides metadata to the networked microphone system via the metadata exchange channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
  • Publication number: 20220159375
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a music service based on a user command. A content type is identified from a received user command and a music service is selected that supports the content type. A selected music service can then transmit audio content associated with the content type for playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
  • Patent number: 11212612
    Abstract: Multiple aspects of systems and methods for voice control and related features and functionality for various embodiments of media playback devices, networked microphone devices, microphone-equipped media playback devices, and speaker-equipped networked microphone devices are disclosed and described herein, including but not limited to designating and managing default networked devices, audio response playback, room-corrected voice detection, content mixing, music service selection, metadata exchange between networked playback systems and networked microphone systems, handling loss of pairing between networked devices, actions based on user identification, and other voice control of networked devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Yean-Nian Willy Chen, Paul Andrew Bates, Luis Vega-Zayas, Chistopher Butts, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Keith Corbin
  • Publication number: 20210389928
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
  • Publication number: 20210366470
    Abstract: An example system is configured to cause a first playback device in a first playback zone to operate in a given playback state including play back of media items identified in a playback queue associated with the first playback zone. The system is also configured to, while the first playback device is operating in the given playback state, (i) receive data corresponding to a detected voice input including an indication of (a) a command word and (b) one or more zone variable instances and (ii) determine, based on the command word and the one or more zone variable instances, an intent to transfer the given playback state to a second playback zone. The system is also configured to transfer the given playback state to the second playback zone, thereby causing a second playback device in the second playback zone to play back the media items identified in the playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Keith Corbin, Mark Plagge
  • Patent number: 11184704
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a music service based on a user command. A content type is identified from a received user command and a music service is selected that supports the content type. A selected music service can then transmit audio content associated with the content type for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
  • Publication number: 20210326100
    Abstract: A computing device is configured to perform functions comprising: receiving via a network microphone device of a media playback system, a voice command detected by at least one microphone of the network microphone device, wherein the media playback system comprises a plurality of zones, and the network microphone device may be a member of a default playback zone. The computing device may be further configured to perform functions comprising: dynamically selecting an audio response zone from the plurality of zones to play an audio response to the voice input and foregoing selection of the default playback zone. The selected zone may comprise a playback device, and the dynamically selecting may comprise determining that the network microphone device is paired with the playback device. The computing device may cause the playback device of the selected zone to play the audio response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge
  • Patent number: 11137979
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for establishing a metadata exchange channel between a media playback system and a networked microphone system, wherein the networked microphone system comprises a networked microphone device and a networked microphone server. After establishing the metadata exchange channel, the media playback system experiences a metadata exchange triggering event. In response to experiencing the metadata exchange triggering event, the media playback system provides metadata to the networked microphone system via the metadata exchange channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
  • Publication number: 20210241757
    Abstract: An example system is configured to cause a first playback device in a first playback zone to operate in a given playback state including play back of media items identified in a playback queue associated with the first playback zone. The system is also configured to, while the first playback device is operating in the given playback state, (i) receive data corresponding to a detected voice input including an indication of (a) a command word and (b) one or more zone variable instances and (ii) determine, based on the command word and the one or more zone variable instances, an intent to transfer the given playback state to a second playback zone. The system is also configured to transfer the given playback state to the second playback zone, thereby causing a second playback device in the second playback zone to play back the media items identified in the playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Keith Corbin, Mark Plagge
  • Patent number: 11042355
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
  • Publication number: 20210120334
    Abstract: Multiple aspects of systems and methods for voice control and related features and functionality for various embodiments of media playback devices, networked microphone devices, microphone-equipped media playback devices, and speaker-equipped networked microphone devices are disclosed and described herein, including but not limited to designating and managing default networked devices, audio response playback, room-corrected voice detection, content mixing, music service selection, metadata exchange between networked playback systems and networked microphone systems, handling loss of pairing between networked devices, actions based on user identification, and other voice control of networked devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Yean-Nian Willy Chen, Paul Andrew Bates, Luis Vega-Zayas, Chistopher Butts, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Keith Corbin
  • Patent number: 10970035
    Abstract: A computing device is configured to perform functions comprising: receiving via a network microphone device of a media playback system, a voice command detected by at least one microphone of the network microphone device, wherein the media playback system comprises a plurality of zones, and the network microphone device may be a member of a default playback zone. The computing device may be further configured to perform functions comprising: dynamically selecting an audio response zone from the plurality of zones to play an audio response to the voice input and foregoing selection of the default playback zone. The selected zone may comprise a playback device, and the dynamically selecting may comprise determining that the network microphone device is paired with the playback device. The computing device may cause the playback device of the selected zone to play the audio response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge